The following is a map unit description from the "Soil
Survey of Barnstable County, Massachusetts (Fletcher, 1993)"

MeB-Merrimac sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes. This
very deep, gently sloping, well drained soil is mainly in broad
areas and on low hills on outwash plains but is also in areas of
glacial lake deposits. It makes up about 1.7 percent (4,424 acres)
of the survey area. It is mapped mainly in the Enfield-MerrimacCarver
general soil map unit. Areas are irregular in shape and range
from 5 to 200 acres in size.

Typically, the surface is covered with an organic layer of
loose, undecomposed pine needles, leaves, and twigs about 3
inches thick. The surface layer is very friable sandy loam about
3 inches thick. The upper 1 inch is black, and the lower 2 inches
is light brownish gray. The subsoil is sandy loam about 21 inches
thick. The upper 4 inches is strong brown and very friable, the
next 10 inches is yellowish brown and friable, and the lower 7
inches is brownish yellow and friable. The substratum to a depth
of 65 inches or more is light yellowish brown, loose coarse sand.

Included with this soil in mapping are small areas of Carver,
Enfield, and Hinckley soils. Also included are areas where slopes
are less than 3 percent or more than 8 percent. Included soils
make up about 20 percent of this unit.

Permeability is moderately rapid in the subsoil of the
Merrimac soil and rapid in the substratum. Available water
capacity is low. Depth to the seasonal high water table is more
than 6 feet.

Most areas are used as woodland. Many areas have been
developed for homesites, and some areas are used as cropland.

This soil is well suited to cultivated crops. Good tilth can
be easily maintained. Erosion and droughtiness during periods of
low rainfall are management concerns. Irrigation is needed for
maximum crop yields. Farming on the contour or across the slope,
terracing, stripcropping, including grasses and legumes in the
crop rotation, growing cover crops, and applying a system of
conservation tillage help to control runoff and erosion. Mixing
crop residue and manure into the surface layer improves tilth and
increases the available water capacity.

This soil is well suited to hay and pasture. The main
management concern is the prevention of overgrazing, which
reduces the hardiness and density of desirable plants. Proper
stocking rates, timely grazing, and restricted use during wet
periods help to maintain plant density and minimize surface
compaction.

This soil is suited to woodland. Because of droughtiness, some
seedling loss is expected. Removal or control of competing
vegetation helps to obtain the best growth of newly established
seedlings. The most common trees are pitch pine, white oak,
scarlet oak, eastern white pine, and black oak.

This soil is suitable as a site for buildings with or without
basements. It readily absorbs but may not adequately filter the
effluent in septic tank absorption fields. The poor filtering
capacity may result in the pollution of ground water. The hazard
of pollution increases with the density of housing. Precautionary
measures may be necessary in some areas.